The ad (at left)
indicates they were located west of Lybarger & Son in East
Shelby (Shelby's first lots
were West of Gamble St.) and 18 years passed before lots were
laid out on the "East" side of Shelby.

They were probably
located on the first floor of the original Opera House at the
corner of High & Broadway (Main & Broadway).

As you can see,
when they formed their business, they acquired the stock of a
former hardware business: G. Shook & Son.

Joseph Seltzer
& Harrison Steele at the time of their early partnership.

The following is
abstracted from an article in the Republican

Industrial Edition
- 1897 - H. E. Sheets, Editor.

"The
hardware firm of Seltzer & Steele, the subject of this half
tone engraving (above) herewith presented, is one of which the
city of Shelby may well feel proud, not only from the fact that
their business blocks on West Main Street (68-70 West Main St.)
add much to the beauty of the city but from the fact that their
store is one that is creditable to any city. Its appearance does
much toward giving the city a commercial standing with other
towns, and its business relations. It has already done much for
the community in giving to our people a complete stock of hardware,
stoves, tinware, paints, oils, varnishes, bicycles, robes and
horse blankets. They are agents for the famous Ideal bicycles
manufactured in Shelby and last season sold over one hundred
of this special make.

They also have
a tin shop in connection, doing all kinds of repair work, roofing
and spouting, and make a specialty of slate roofing on either
town or country property. The store is always a model of system
and neatness, showing at various seasons those articles which
climatic conditions necessitate, or allow as luxuries, such as
stoves, bicycles, etc.

With such men as
these at its head, the institution has earned the reputation
which it now enjoys in the community. From a business of $30,000
per year at its inception, it has grown to be one of over $100,
000 per year with a steady increase. They are the owners of four
store fronts on Main Street (1897)
and various
warehouses and are interested in thirty-five residences which
are now occupied by working-men.

They
make a specialty of McCormick machinery, and claim the honor
of having delivered more of these machines in one day than any
other agent in the United States. In one day in 1893 they delivered
one hundred and eighty-six McCormick machines, making a parade
over one and one-half miles in length, and of such a display
as has never been shown elsewhere. The firm has demonstrated
its belief in the future of Shelby both in the excellence of
its store and also in the other investments it has made, and
many a large town will not show a more thriving institution in
business, stock, or methods of transaction. In every detail does
it fill the bill, not only for today, but for years to come."